Page 253 of The Baby Bargain

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"No, but if I don't—"

"How soon?"

"My oncologist wanted me to do it right away, but—"

"You have an oncologist?"

I nod.

"Fuck." His face goes white. "Isn't this dangerous? You should do it now. Before you—"

"Don't."

"I'm just…" He moves onto the first stair. "Ariel… I can't lose you. We can't lose you."

I swallow hard.

"You—"

"I know." I'm not doing the safest thing. But I don't care. "It's a risk, I know. But I want this. I… I'm scared, yeah, but that's not… isn't everyone scared of becoming a parent?"

"How far along?"

"Thirteen weeks."

His eyes go wide. "Already?"

I nod.

"And Chase is the father?"

"I asked him to help me."

He stares at me like I'm crazy.

"At first, he was helping me find someone. But then… that didn't feel right. And he's a good guy. And—"

"Tall."

A laugh breaks up the tension in my shoulders. "He is tall."

"Blue eyes."

I nod.

"But he… his family—"

"I know."

"This kid is going to inherit a lot of shit."

"At least he'll have the world's most annoying uncle."

Forest's smile brings color to his face. "You're really doing this?"

I nod.

"How did it happen? How the hell did you and Chase happen?"

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